Sarah Palin on Immigration

Republican Governor (AK); ; nominee for Vice President

Supports a path to citizenship, but no amnesty for illegals

Q: Should undocumented immigrants all should be deported?

A: There is no way that in the US we would roundup every illegal immigrant--there are about 12 million of the illegal immigrants--not only economically is that just an impossibility but that's
not a humane way anyway to deal with the issue.

Q: Do you then favor an amnesty for the 12 million undocumented immigrants?

A: No, I do not. Not total amnesty. You know, people have got to follow the rules. We have got to make sure that there
is equal opportunity and those who are here legally should be first in line for services being provided and those opportunities that this great country provides.

Q: So you support a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants?

A: I do because
I understand why people would want to be in America. To seek the safety and prosperity, the opportunities, the health that is here. It is so important that yes, people follow the rules so that people can be treated equally and fairly in this country.

Never supported Pat Buchanan for president

Q: Did you support Pat Buchanan for president? You did have a button on.

A: I did wear a button at his book signing, or one of the events.
Because see here, a presidential candidate coming to little ol’ Wasilla, one year. And we all showed up. It was an honor to see anyone of that stature come to our city.

Source: 2008 Fox News interview on “Hannity & Colmes”
Sep 17, 2008

Has not often expressed views on illegal immigration

Immigration: Being that her state only borders Canada and is thousands of miles from the Mexican border, Palin has not often expressed her views publicly on illegal immigration.

Source: WMTW TV-8 Portland Maine, ABC affiliate
Aug 29, 2008

OpEd: Palin is sick to death of this immigration nonsense

We definitely want a governor [as McCain’s vice-presidential nominee], but slim pickings, though, in the governors. And I’m telling you, the Alaskan governor, Palin. I sat next to her at dinner--this was in July--I spoke at an event.
KBYR, our great affiliate, was there. And just a great, great time. And she was delightful , and smart.

So, back to the Veepstakes. Sarah Palin: I like her. She’s a beautiful woman, but she’s also a conservative. Her husband, he’s a fisherman.
I’m not kidding you, and they go out and fish on the weekends. He’s a commercial fisherman. I’m telling you, I think that sells. That sells a lot more than “my friends” and comprehensive immigration reform.
And she’s not for comprehensive reform, I can tell you that right now. She’s sick to death of this immigration nonsense in the United States.“

Address jointly with Canada the border security challenges

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin will welcome more than 30 Canadian officials to Juneau and Anchorage for meetings January 18-19, 2007. “Alaska’s new administration needs to start early and energetically with expanding our strong, cooperative relationship wit
Canada,” said Governor Palin. “We have many common issues. Our meetings this week will promote continued trade. We’ll also have the opportunity to address jointly the border security challenges placed on us by the U.S. and Canadian national governments.”

Alaska’s exports to Canada are headed for record highs, based on the federal export numbers for the partial year January through November 2006. Alaska’s exports to
Canada for that period more than doubled to $441 million compared to the same period in 2005, spurred by $320 million in lead and zinc ore exports.

Immigrants want more vocational training & senior assistance

Q: The state has seen big growth of minority and immigrant populations, specifically Latinos & Southeast Asians. What sort of outreach has your campaign done?

A: I have reached out to all these communities and asked them to identify their needs. Their
response has been for more vocational training, senior assistance, ending gang violence, and more state outreach and communication with their communities. One of the key components of my internal campaign is a diversity task force. I turn to them often.

Took no action on Alaska’s “sanctuary cities”

Lou Dobbs notes that at least two of Alaska’s cities have been officially designated as sanctuary cities: “An August 14, 2006 report produced by the Congressional Research Service listed 31 cities and counties that have ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ sanctuary
policies in place. They [include] Anchorage, Alaska [and] Fairbanks, Alaska. Alaska and Oregon both have state-wide policies that forbid state agencies from using resources to enforce federal immigration law.”

Apparently, this is by design from the
highest levels. In fact, a resolution to that effect was passed in the Alaska state legislature in 2003 (before Palin’s election): “[Alaska] House Joint Resolution 22--May 2003: Establishes that state agencies and instrumentalities may not use state
resources or institutions for the enforcement of federal immigration laws, which are the responsibility of the federal government.”

Tightened restrictions on illegal alien’s drivers licenses

There has been an ongoing fight in Alaska over drivers’ licenses for illegals. A bill banning drivers’ licenses for illegals passed the Alaska state senate in 2003 [before Palin was elected governor]: “JUNEAU (AP)--The state Senate approved a bill that
tightens the standards for getting a driver’s license by requiring applicants prove they are in the country legally and by placing time limits on licenses for legal aliens.”

The measure did not pass into law. In any event, Palin’s DMV subsequently
tightened the administrative regulations on drivers’ licenses, thereby giving rise to a lawsuit by some folks who found the new restrictions inconvenient.

The new restrictions were not, however, enough for at least some members of the legislature, who
tried again recently to enact a ban into the statutory law: “Despite two unsuccessful pushes, [a new bill] addresses the rights of illegal immigrants in Alaska: to require applicants to show proof of residency before they can get a driver’s license.”